One of my clearest S&B-related memories is from Nov. 5, 2024. I was leading our local election coverage team from the publications office. As I pieced together the words of Grinnell voters to craft a narrative, I could hear my phone buzzing with texts from friends and family as the Associated Press called state race after state race for Donald Trump.
On Nov. 4, 2025, I heard my phone buzz again. This time, it was because Grinnell voters had elected the first female mayor in town history. I stayed up another hour to update our website and social media before finally calling it a night.
As Editor in Chief, I have learned to embrace the unexpected. Regardless of how meticulously I plan for every possible contingency, there will always be times where I have to drop everything and focus on an emergent issue. This can be incredibly stressful, but it has also given me opportunities that I could not have dreamed of when I submitted my original application as an anxious first year.
This job is unbelievably hard at times. I have edited pieces about a bias report and an alleged assault, and covered a presidential campaign visit and the Iowa caucuses. Hours and hours were spent combing through drafts, agonizing over word choices and checking facts to make sure we got the story right.
However, this job has also been incredibly empowering. After co-authoring an investigative piece with Natalie Ng `27 on mental health resources in Poweshiek County, I was inspired to speak out about this issue on a personal level. The op-ed that resulted was recently awarded Best Opinion at the Iowa College Media Association awards, where The S&B was also named News & Multimedia organization of the year for the third year in a row. I am so proud of our staff for this incredible accomplishment, and of myself for finding the courage to speak out about mental health on a public platform.
This job has demonstrated to me the intensity with which the Grinnell community shows up for one another. I coordinated with students, faculty, staff, alumni and residents of the town as Opinions Editor in a campaign for people to share what the paper means to them. I am so appreciative of everyone who took the time to write a letter expressing support for student journalism — and although Grinnell College is not perfect, as our coverage has often shown, I have gained a greater appreciation for our community than I had before.
This job is more than just a job. It has given me a sense of purpose during my four years here, and I am so grateful to everyone who has contributed to that purpose. Thank you to Allison Moore `24 for setting an example as my first-ever editor, to Bea Crist `25 for uplifting me during a time when I needed it most, to Lyle Muller and Maure Smith-Benanti for their invaluable guidance and support, and most of all to Taylor Nunley `26 for being an incredible co-editor to brainstorm, collaborate and work with. There are too many others who have impacted me during my time here to list, but know that I am deeply appreciative of all of our staff, past and present.
At The S&B, our purpose is always to provide transparent, fair and honest reporting. We do not get every story right, but we learn from our mistakes and we keep trying, because we think it is important to seek the truth. I will carry that purpose with me for the rest of my life.
